Be sure to include your name, daytime phone number, address, name and phone number of legal next-of-kin, method of payment, and the name of the funeral home/crematory to contact for verification of death.

Dishes to make and give to new moms

Bringing home baby is one of life’s most treasured moments, but it can also mean the beginning of chaotic days and sleepless nights for a while.

New moms might not have time to brush their hair, much less make a meal, but that’s where you, the great friend, can help. After being showered with bottles and bibs, what Mom needs now is nourishment — ready-to-eat dishes that are easy to reheat, because even maneuvering a microwave can seem like a daunting task come newborn time.

Think beyond boring lasagna and tasteless frozen casseroles and delight your new mom friend with something delicious and unique. Four area chefs, all mothers themselves, provide easy recipes for pretty dishes that will keep busy new moms not only satisfied but energized.

Make and give one for Mother’s Day, and your fatigued friend will cherish the gesture.

Veggie quiche with fresh tomato salsa

Janet Capua, Z’s Cafe

Z’s Cafe co-owner Janet Capua says classic quiche works wells for breakfast, lunch or dinner; can be heated whole or by the slice; and tastes great hot or chilled.

Her savory vegetable quiche is frequently requested, she says, and she shares her 40-year-old recipe here. Pair the pie with mason jars of tomato salsa and fresh fruit for a pretty presentation.

Red and white quinoa with oven-roasted vegetables

Catherine Ruehle, A Well-Nourished Life

A wellness foods chef and holistic health counselor, Ruehle, a busy single mom herself, lives with rheumatoid arthritis but is medication-, pain- and symptom-free thanks, she says, to her nutritious diet. Find lots of vibrant color in this nutrient-rich, gluten-free dish that can be made vegan by nixing the goat cheese. Your gal pal may enjoy the meal chilled, or she can cover it with foil and reheat in a 350-degree oven until it’s warmed through.

Roasted chicken enchiladas

Irma Gamez, Mariposa’s Latin Kitchen

Your new-mom friend might squeal with joy when homemade enchiladas are delivered to her door, especially when the recipe’s from Irma Gamez, the chef half of the mother-daughter duo that owns Mariposa’s Latin Kitchen restaurant and catering.

Irma’s daughter and business partner, Crystal Padilla, says customers frequently ask to purchase her mom’s fire-roasted poblano sauce, a version of which is featured here. Pair with chips and salsa for a ready-made Tex-Mex treat.

Mediterranean chicken pasta with artichokes and sun-dried tomatoes

Deb Cantrell, The Savor Chef

Personal chef and dietary consultant Deb Cantrell provides easy alternatives to make a hearty, Mediterranean-inspired meal both gluten- and dairy-free, if desired.

Cantrell regularly teaches classes at Market Street in Colleyville aimed at redefining healthy eating without sacrificing taste. This one-pot dish is just as easy to prepare as it is to transport.

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